Jean-Baptiste Gois met his partner, Erin, while completing his master’s in engineering at university in the UK. After Erin finished medical school, the two decided to move to France to be closer to J. B.’s family, but Erin needed time to perfect her French before practicing as a doctor.
This serendipitous timing presented the couple with a beautiful and meaningful opportunity: to restore a historic monument, a dream they thought would wait until their retirement years. “The overwhelming piece of advice we received from other châteaux owners was ‘start young,’ ” says Erin.
In the heart of Bourneau, a small but vibrant village in France’s Vendée region, sits a sprawling 16-hectare estate dotted with restored buildings and teeming with wildlife. In May, blossoming lily of the valley infuses the nineteenth-century château’s surrounding meadows with the most romantic fragrance. The open windows of Château de Bourneau welcome the sweet-smelling summer air, and inside, Erin and J. B. prepare for another productive season as the property’s caretakers.
